Wolves practically guaranteed to wrap up £8.7m enforcer deal with top-six club – report
Wolves are ‘practically guaranteed’ to sign Rio Ave enforcer Pele in the summer transfer window, according to a report.
Portuguese newspaper Record, as translated by Sport Witness, claims that Pele, 26, should be heading to Molineux for a deal worth £8.7million within the coming months after Wolves beat Porto and Benfica in the race to sign him.
It is understood that the Portuguese giants decided against outbidding the Championship title-winners.
Jorge Mendes is said to have some involvement in the deal although Ulisses Santos is Pele’s agent.
The Guinea-Bissau international has been a mainstay for Rio Ave this season, making 35 appearances in all competitions and scoring five goals from the defensive midfield position.
Pele’s form has helped Rio Ave up to fifth in the Liga NOS table.
The defensive midfielder has previously had spells at Genoa, AC Milan and Benfica.
Football Insider verdict
Wolves are already starting to plan for next season and they are likely to continue to use their links to Mendes to ensure that Champions League talent arrives at Molineux. However Pele doesn’t fit that bracket at all. Although he has a name that is known worldwide, the defensive midfielder does not come across as someone who is of much quality. He failed to make the grade at Milan and Benfica and has spent moreorless all of his career out on loan. Wolves don’t need journeymen like Pele, they need up and coming stars who can really make a mark in the Premier League.
In other Wolves news, the club have a huge chance to wrap up this £35million goal machine deal after winning promotion.